Ukraine - Environment

Ukraine's environmental problems include the nuclear
contamination which resulted from the 1986 Chernobyl accident. One-tenth
of Ukraine's land area was affected by the radiation. According
to UN reports, approximately one million people were exposed to unsafe
levels of radiation through the consumption of food. Approximately 3.5
million ha (8.6 million ac) of agricultural land and 1.5 million ha (3.7
million ac) of forest were also contaminated.

Pollution from other sources also poses a threat to the environment.
Ukraine releases polluted water, heavy metal, organic compounds, and
oil-related pollutants into the Black Sea. The water supply in some
areas of the country contains toxic industrial chemicals up to 10 times
the concentration considered to be within safety limits.

Air pollution is also a significant environmental problem in the
Ukraine. In 1992, Ukraine had the world's seventh-highest level
of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled 611.3 million
metric tons, a per capita level of 11.72. In 1996, the total had dropped
significantly to 397 million metric tons. The pollution of the
nation's water has resulted in large-scale elimination of the
fish population, particularly in the Sea of Azov.

As of 2001, only 1.6% of Ukraine's total land area is protected,
including 22 Wetlands of International Importance. Fifteen mammal
species, 10 bird species, and 20 plant species are threatened, including
the European bison, the Russian desman, and the Dalmatian pelican.